Being energy efficient

Being energy efficient isn't just for people who want to save the planet, but it is also good for the normal everyday person. Being energy efficient doesn't just mean you are helping to save the enviroment but also can save you money that you can save. The money you save from being energy aware, you can buy that one thing you have always wanted but never had money to save.

There are many ways to be energy efficient, whether you are going big as installing solar panels or solar heated geysers to just switching off the lights you are not using. Doesn't matter the steps you take, you will save in the end and by doing so you are being energy efficient and saving the enviroment.

How to become energy efficient

Insulation
One can simply start with insulating your home. Just by adding additional insulation to your ceilings, walls or attics you already saving energy, by keeping the warm air out and keeping the inside of your house cooler, this will reduce the ammount of money and energy used to keep the house cool. Not only does this work nicely in summer for those hot days you just want to remain cool, but also works wonders in winter. The insulation will keep the heat from escaping the house thus keeping the inside of your home nice and warm during the cold winter days. Insulation has an effective life span of around 42 years, which by then it has already paid itself many times over.

Changes your windows
Change up your windows. Just by tinting your windows you can prevent a lot of heat and cold from comming into your house. One can install double paned glass which is filled with Argon gas which is an extreamly effective insulator.

Lighting
A simple switch of the type of lightbulb you are using can save you energy and money. Your average fluorescent light bulbs can last up to 12 times longer than your ordinary incandescent light bubls. Although the initial cost of a fluorescent bulb can be costly but in the end it will save you money. You will end up paying more for electricity and replacement of the ordinary incandescent bulbs than what you would pay for one fluorescent bulb. Another simple habit one can learn is to always switch the lights off, even if it is for a few minutes or seconds. Not only does this prolong the life of your bulbs but also saves you electricity. If you are going to be in a certain part of a room, only use the ammount of light you are going to use for that area, don't overlight the room as this is wasting energy. If one is feeling more modern and fancy, one can install motion detectors which will dected the area you are in and light that area up and once you leave it will switch the lights off for you, which does not require any effort from you.

Solar Panels
One of the bigger more expensive steps would be to install a solar panel. Using simple science that has a real positive impact onto the environment. This is way of utilising the sun which a free renewable resource to produce electricity for our homes without costing any form of damage to your planet. This is also very simpole to install and maintain system as there are no mechanical parts, meaning that only work required is the initial installation and ready to go. By doing this you are not only saving our environment, you are also saving yourself some money which brings me to my next section.

Upgrade old appliances, Energy Star Certified
Older technology wasn't really designed to be eco-friendly and energy saving products. Some appliances were designed and manufactured when the concern for energy effiencency was scrapt. Today with the modern technology made available to us, we can use these technologies to become more energy efficiant. Not will you only be saving energy but you will be saving money to. The know what technologies and appliances to buy to save you some cash and energy, look for products that are labeled as "Energy Star Certified", this is to ensure you are getting the real energy and money saving products